U.S. patent application number 11/745795 was filed with the patent office on 2007-11-15 for modular hand grip and rail assembly for firearms.
Invention is credited to Stephen P. Troy.
Application Number | 20070261285 11/745795 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 38015603 |
Filed Date | 2007-11-15 |
United States Patent
Application |
20070261285 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Troy; Stephen P. |
November 15, 2007 |
MODULAR HAND GRIP AND RAIL ASSEMBLY FOR FIREARMS
Abstract
A modular hand grip for use on a firearm, the modular hand grip
includes an upper portion, a lower portion and a coupling assembly.
A rearward end of the upper portion is configured to engage a top
portion of a barrel nut. Lug rails having gaps therein project from
an inner surface of the upper portion at opposing sides and
proximate edges thereof. The coupling assembly is engagable with a
bottom portion of the barrel nut and is attached to the rearward
end of the upper portion. The lower portion has opposing side
sections, each terminating at an edge. A plurality of spaced apart
lugs extend from each edge and are receivable in the gaps in the
lug rails of the upper portion and are translatable in one of a
forward direction and a rearward direction positioning the lugs
under the lug rails.
Inventors: |
Troy; Stephen P.; (Lee,
MA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
ROBERT A. PARSONS
4000 N. CENTRAL AVENUE, SUITE 1220
PHOENIX
AZ
85012
US
|
Family ID: |
38015603 |
Appl. No.: |
11/745795 |
Filed: |
May 8, 2007 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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11351822 |
Feb 10, 2006 |
7216451 |
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11745795 |
May 8, 2007 |
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60652035 |
Feb 11, 2005 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
42/75.03 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F41C 23/16 20130101;
F41G 11/003 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
042/075.03 |
International
Class: |
F41C 23/00 20060101
F41C023/00 |
Claims
1-20. (canceled)
21. A hand grip for use on a firearm having a receiver, and a
barrel, the hand grip comprising: a hand grip having a forward end
and a rearward end, the rearward end positionable proximate the
receiver; and a stud extending rearwardly from the rearward end of
the handgrip for direct engagement with the receiver thereby
preventing relative rotational movement therebetween.
22. A hand grip as claimed in claim 21 wherein the rearward end of
the hand grip is securable to a barrel nut attaching the barrel to
the receiver.
23. A hand grip on a firearm comprising: a firearm having a
receiver, a barrel, and a barrel nut coupling the barrel to the
receiver and rotatable in a loosening direction and a tightening
direction; a hand grip having a forward end, and a rearward end,
the rearward end coupled only to the barrel nut; and a stud
extending rearwardly from the rearward end of the handgrip, the
stud directly engaging the receiver preventing rotation of the hand
guard and the barrel nut in the loosening direction.
24. A hand grip as claimed in claim 21 wherein the stud extending
rearwardly from the rearward end of the handgrip for engaging a
side of the receiver.
25. A hand grip as claimed in claim 23 wherein the stud extending
rearwardly from the rearward end of the handgrip engages a side of
the receiver.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. patent
application Ser. No. 11/351,822, filed 10 Feb. 2006, which claims
the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/652,035, filed
11 Feb. 2005.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] This invention relates to firearms accessories.
[0003] More particularly, the present invention relates to hand
grip and rail accessories.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0004] It is understood that hand-held firearms require some type
of handgrip so that the operator can hold the firearm as it is
fired. Also, many accessories are available that aid in the proper
and/or enhanced operation of firearms and some type of platform or
mounting structure is generally provided or available as an
accessory for this function. Several problems are prevalent in the
firearms industry with respect to hand grip and rail assemblies.
Many firearms are operated as automatic or semiautomatic and have a
tendency to heat extensively so that handgrips attached directly to
the barrel can produce hand burns for the operator if great care is
not taken. In addition, anything attached directly to the barrel of
a firearm can have a tendency to alter the barrel slightly and any
alterations can adversely affect the accuracy of the firearm.
[0005] It would be highly advantageous, therefore, to remedy the
foregoing and other deficiencies inherent in the prior art.
[0006] Accordingly, it is an object the present invention to
provide a new and improved hand grip for a firearm.
[0007] Another object of the present invention is to provide a
handgrip which is not attached to the barrel of a firearm.
[0008] And another object of the present invention is to provide a
hand grip which can be utilized with existing firearms, and
specifically with conventional barrel nuts.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0009] Briefly, to achieve the desired objects of the present
invention in accordance with a preferred embodiment thereof,
provided is a modular hand grip for use on a firearm and for
engaging a barrel nut of the firearm. The barrel nut includes a
cylindrical portion terminating at a forwardly directed end with a
radially outwardly directed flange. The hand grip includes an upper
portion having a forward end, a rearward end, an inner surface and
an outer surface. A groove is formed in the inner surface of the
upper portion perpendicular to a longitudinal axis thereof, and
spaced from the rearward end. The groove receives the flange of the
barrel nut to align the upper portion and to prevent longitudinal
movement thereof. A coupling assembly engages a bottom portion of
the barrel nut and is attached to the rearward end of the upper
portion. A lower portion is also provided and includes a top
section and opposing side sections extending therefrom, each
terminating at an edge coupled to the upper portion.
[0010] In a further aspect of the present invention the upper
portion further includes lug rails projecting from the inner
surface at opposing sides and proximate edges thereof. The lug
rails extend longitudinally from proximate the forward end to a
position proximate the rearward end and include a plurality of gaps
formed therein. The lower portion further includes a plurality of
spaced apart lugs extending from each edge thereof and receivable
in the gaps in the lug rails of the upper portion. The lugs, and
thus the lower portion, is translatable in one of a forward
direction and a rearward direction positioning the lugs under the
lug rails
[0011] In yet another aspect of the present invention, a detent
assembly is carried by the clamp element for engaging the lower
portion. The detent assembly includes a plunger detent biased
outwardly from a central portion of the clamping element and
received in an aperture formed through a rearward end of the top
section when the lugs are positioned under the lug rails.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0012] The foregoing and further and more specific objects and
advantages of the invention will become readily apparent to those
skilled in the art from the following detailed description of a
preferred embodiment thereof, taken in conjunction with the
drawings in which:
[0013] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a modular hand grip assembly
according to the present invention;
[0014] FIG. 2 is a bottom plan view of the modular hand grip
assembly of FIG. 1;
[0015] FIG. 3 is an end view of the modular hand grip of FIGS. 1
and 2;
[0016] FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view of the modular hand
grip according to the present invention;
[0017] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of an upper portion of the
modular hand grip;
[0018] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the lower portion of the
modular hand grip; and
[0019] FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a firearm including the
modular handgrip of FIGS. 1-6.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0020] Turning now to the drawings in which like reference
characters indicate corresponding elements throughout the several
views, attention is directed to FIGS. 1-3 which illustrate a
modular hand grip according to the present invention, generally
designated 10. Modular hand grip 10 includes three main elements,
an upper portion 12, a lower portion 14, and a coupling assembly
15. Upper portion 12 can, and preferably does include a rail 17
provided to permit the coupling of additional accessory devices.
Modular hand grip 10 is removably coupled to the fore-end of a
firearm, providing a grip, rail, and rail alignment assembly.
[0021] With reference to FIGS. 4, 5, and 6, modular hand grip 10 is
coupled to a firearm 100 (illustrated in FIG. 7) through engagement
with a barrel nut 20. Firearm 100 includes a receiver 110 and a
barrel 112. For purposes of this description, the term forwardly is
intended to refer to the direction toward a muzzle 114 of firearm
100, and rearwardly is directed toward receiver 110. Barrel 112 is
coupled to receiver 110 with barrel nut 20. Barrel nut 20 typically
includes a threaded cylindrical portion 22 terminating at a
forwardly directed end with a radially outwardly directed flange
23. Upper portion 12 includes a forward end 24, a rearward end 25,
an inner surface 27 and an outer surface 28. Upper portion 12 forms
a portion of a tubular enclosure terminating in edges 29 and
completed by lower portion 14. Upper portion 12 and lower portion
14 encircle barrel 112 of firearm 100 when installed. Rearward end
25 is configured to substantially engage a top portion of barrel
nut 20. A groove 30 is formed in inner surface 27 of upper portion
12, perpendicular to a longitudinal axis thereof, and spaced from
rearward end 25. Groove 30 is positioned to receive flange 23 of a
conventional factory barrel nut such as barrel nut 20. Receipt of
barrel nut 20 in groove 30 serves to align upper portion 12 with
the rest of firearm 100, (FIG. 7), and longitudinally retain upper
portion 12, preventing forward and rearward movement thereof. Upper
portion 12 serves as the anchor for modular hand grip 10.
[0022] Further securing upper portion 12 to barrel nut 20, is
coupling assembly 15. Coupling assembly 15 consists of a clamp
element 32 having a central semicircular recess 33 configured to
receive cylindrical portion 22 of barrel nut 20, and flanges 34
extending to opposing sides. Clamp element 32 is attached to
rearward end 25 of upper portion 12 with fasteners that are
inserted through openings in flanges 34 and into threaded holes
formed in engagement portions 31 of edges 29 of upper portion 12.
Engagement portions 31 are flattened and recessed below edges 29 to
accommodate flanges 34. Upper portion 12 is positioned with flange
23 of barrel nut 20 received in groove 30 and secured in position
by clamp element 32 positioned around barrel nut 20 and the
fasteners installed and tightened into the threaded holes in
engagement portions 31 of upper portion 12. When the fasteners are
installed and tightened, clamp element 32 and upper portion 12 are
drawn together securely engaging barrel nut 20. There can be one or
more fasteners per side as desired. The presence of groove 30 acts
to automatically align upper portion 12 with the rest of the
firearm. Thus, for example, a rail carried by, or formed as, part
of upper portion 12 will be aligned with the rail typically present
on an upper receiver of the firearm. While adjustments can be made
during fabrication, the preferred alignment is intended to match
with factory flattop Mil-std 1913 specifications.
[0023] Upper portion 12 further includes lug rails 42 extending
from opposing sides thereof proximate edges 29. Lug rails 42 extend
longitudinally from a forward end 24 to a position proximate groove
30. Lug rails 42 include a plurality of gaps 43 formed therein for
purposes which will be discussed presently. Lower portion 14
completes the tubular aspect of modular hand grip 10 when engaged
with upper portion 12. Lower portion 14 includes a top section 50
and opposing side sections 52 extending therefrom and terminating
at edges 53. A plurality of spaced apart lugs 55 extend from
opposing edges 53 and are configured to be received in gaps 43 in
lug rails 42 of upper portion 12. Thus, lower portion 14 is coupled
to upper portion 12 by properly aligning lower portion 14 and
inserting lugs 55 through gaps 43. Lower portion 14 is then
translated in a rearward direction locking lugs 55 under lug rails
42. This securely attaches lower portion 14 to upper portion 12
substantially along its entire length. Further translational motion
forwardly or reawardly is prevented by a detent assembly 60 as part
of the coupling or clamp assembly 15 and carried by clamp element
32.
[0024] Detent assembly 60 includes a plunger detent 62 received by
a central portion of clamping element 32. Plunger detent 62 is
biased outwardly from barrel nut 20, preferably by a compression
spring 63. As lower portion 14 is translated rearwardly with lugs
55 engaging upper portion 12 under lug rails 42, an aperture 65
formed through a rearward end of top section 50 aligns with plunger
detent 62 which is received therein. With plunger detent 62
received in aperture 65, further translational movement of lower
portion 14 is prevented.
[0025] With reference to FIGS.1 and 4, an additional feature of
modular hand grip 10 is anti-rotational studs 70 extending from a
rearward surface of clamp element 32. Studs 70 engage the receiver
of a firearm, and prevent rotation of hand grip 10. Rotation of
hand grip 10, since it is attached only to barrel nut 20, can act
to unscrew barrel nut 20, rotating barrel nut 20 in a loosening
direction, which is highly undesirable. Thus, studs 70 prevent this
action by contacting the receiver. One or more studs 70 can be
employed. One being sufficient, as loosening of the barrel nut
occurs in one rotational direction, preventable by one stud 70.
Another stud can be employed to prevent rotation of the barrel nut
in a tightening direction if desired. It is also understood that a
stud can extend from upper portion 14, lower portion 12 or, as
illustrated, clamp 15.
[0026] Various changes and modifications to the embodiments herein
chosen for purposes of illustration will readily occur to those
skilled in the art. To the extent that such modifications and
variations do not depart from the spirit of the invention, they are
intended to be included within the scope thereof, which is assessed
only by a fair interpretation of the following claims.
* * * * *